Virgil & The Accelerators: The Radium

Welsh whippersnapper delivers the goods.

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Still not into his 20s, Virgil McMahon is the latest UK-raised blues-rock prodigy. Backed in a power-trio by his drummer brother Gabriel and bassist Jack Timmis, Virgil has already gone some way to establishing himself on the UK touring circuit, yet few will have expected a debut album quite as mature and accomplished as this.

Although on stage he covers Hendrix, the Bluesbreakers and Stevie Ray Vaughan, this album triumphs thanks to the combined strength of 11 self-written songs and the technique of its main creator.

Opener Working Man has a slight ring of Joe Bonamassa, but Virgil is no mere copyist, and the weighty Backstabber grasps the nettle of youthful anger.

Dave Ling
Dave Ling

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.